Italy's anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and Euroskeptic party Lega Nord reportedly want to get rid of anti-Russian sanctions in their coalition deal. An M5S representative told RT that Russia is part of the deal.

A draft of a joint program of the two parties was leaked and published by Italian media on Thursday. The 40-page document reportedly calls for end to treating Russia as a threat and refers to it as a partner, calling for more openness towards it.

RT has received confirmation from M5S that Russia is indeed mentioned in the program. “We can confirm that in the draft of the agreement there is [a part about] the Russians, but its not official,” Diego Destro, press officer for MEPs at European Parliament Movimento 5 told RT.